The COPS Office supports safe schools by providing grant funds to help deploy school resource officers (SROs). Each year, applicants who commit to deploying an SRO under the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) receive additional consideration for funding. Learn more about SROs and all of our projects and resources that support school safety.
The COPS Office recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Education on the development of Safe School-based Enforcement through Collaboration, Understanding, and Respect (SECURe) rubrics. They will assist in properly implementing school resource officers (SROs) so that SRO programs can positively impact the lives of our nation's students. These rubrics offer guidance to communities and law enforcement agencies to help those interested in implementing the most effective SRO programs. Safe School-based Enforcement through Collaboration, Understanding, and Respect (SECURe) Rubrics |
What is a School Resource Officer? SRO Roles: SROs play multiple roles in schools SROs are sworn law enforcement officers responsible for providing security and crime prevention services in schools. A local police department, sheriff's agency, or school system typically employs SROs who work closely with school administrators in an effort to create a safer environment. The responsibilities of SROs are similar to regular police officers in that they have the ability to make arrests, respond to calls for service, and document incidents that occur within their jurisdiction. 
Not in Our Town and the COPS Office present the documentary, "Beyond the Badge: Profile of a School Resource Officer" While an SRO's primary responsibility is law enforcement, whenever possible, SROs should strive to employ non-punitive techniques when interacting with students. Arrests should be used only as a last resort under specified circumstances.  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)To ensure collaboration between the law enforcement agency and the educational community, an agency receiving funding for SROs will be required to submit an MOU to the COPS Office prior to implementing its CHP grant. For more information please review the MOU Fact Sheet.
TrainingCHP SRO-prioritized grantees have the opportunity to voluntarily attend a National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) training course. For more information please review the Training Fact Sheet.
AssessmentsThe level of safety in a school must be assessed using multiple indicators that apply to the total school environment. Assessments are one of the most effective ways to identify significant gaps in emergency planning before an incident reveals them with chronic plan failure. For more information please review the assessment models.
School DisciplineThe Departments of Justice and Education have jointly issued School Discipline Guidance to Promote Safe, Inclusive Schools (read more) and the Council of State Governments issued the School Discipline Consensus Report.
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Additional Resources:
National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) NASRO is an organization that promotes safer schools and partnerships between students, school faculty and law enforcement by providing training and resources for school-based law enforcement officers (SROs), school administrators and other stakeholders.
Engaging Partners in School Emergency Management – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2011. A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes, and Pathways for Action.
– Establishing and Developing Strategic Partnerships with Media Representatives, (Helpful Hints, Vol. 2, Issue 8, 2007)
– Families as Partners in School Emergency Management (Helpful Hints Series, Vol. 2, Issue 7, 2007)
– Tapping into Nontraditional Community Partners for Emergency Management (REMSExpress, Vol. 3, Issue 1, 2007)
– K-12 Online Courses Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) 101
Planning – Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center. State Safe School Centers Webpage
– Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2010. Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans (CPG 101), Version 2.0.
– Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center 2010. NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Institutions of Higher Education Education website
– Injury Prevention & Control: Division of Violence Prevention. Youth injury and violence prevention resources for school personnel and community members
Recovery – A Coordinated Response To Multiple Deaths in a School Community Helps the Healing Begin (Lessons Learned, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 2006)
– Coping with the Death of a Student or Staff Member (REMSExpress, Vol. 3, Issue 2, 2007)
– Coping With Multiple Suicides Among Middle School Students (Lessons Learned, Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2007)
– Listen, Protect, Connect-Model & Teach: Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Students and Teachers (Helpful Hints Series, Volume 3, issue 3, 2008)
– Paying Tribute to Deceased School Community Members (REMSExpress, Vol. 3,
Issue 3, 2007).
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